A Transportation Transformation
Let’s face it, transportation is changing. With the rise of companies such as Tesla and an increase in the use of bicycles, a shift is occurring away from the fossil fuels and toward more sustainable forms of energy. While this transformation is not exclusive to transportation, 26% of United States greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to transportation alone, according to the EPA. This figure more than justifies the emphasis on revolutionizing this industry.
From electric bikes to new forms of mass transit, countless companies are popping up around the world with creative solutions to decrease emissions due to vehicles. Electric cars have been developed by both existing automotive manufacturers and startups, and although they are an excellent attempt to fully replace traditional automobiles, modern battery technology greatly limits their range and makes them too pricey for the average consumer. In addition, as they currently are, they don’t quite solve the problem I see with transportation: a significant amount of travel occurs with only the driver in the car.
Whether it be commuting or traveling around town, solo traveling is a tremendous waste of energy; in order to move a 170 lbs human, you are dragging in excess of 1500 lbs around. The solution I see? Electric velomobiles.
At this point, you must be wondering what a velomobile is. Well, I guarantee that you have at least seen a picture of one. Below is an example of an electric velomobile, called the ELF, creation of North Carolina startup Organic Transit.
A velomobile is a human-powered vehicle that is enclosed for aerodynamic advantage and weather protection. Basically, it is an enclosed, but pedalable vehicle. Velomobiles come in many different shapes, but have the same purpose: to provide a more convenient and efficient bicycle alternative.
How are velomobiles better than bikes, you might ask. Well:
- They are enclosed to allow for riding in all weather conditions.
- They are much safer, also due to their enclosure.
- They are more aerodynamic, increasing their efficiency.
- They are more comfortable, due to their reclined seating position.
With all of these benefits, standard velomobiles are great candidates for use in single person travel situations. However, the fact is that most people would not want to pedal their way around everyday. This is where adding an electric motor comes in; the boost provided not only makes riding more effortless, but also enables an increase in speed. While this seems like a match made in heaven, there are still some flaws:
- If it is legally to be a bicycle, laws limit the speed on the motor to be 20mph, potentially to slow for consumers. Above this speed, a license and insurance would be required.
- Storage. A velomobile does not take the place of a car, and thus you need space for both a car and velomobile.
- Safety is the biggest concern. With a vehicle that is low to the ground, drivers may not notice, and a velomobile is nothing compared to a car.
Clearly, I have been thinking about this quite a bit recently, which is why I have decided to design and make my own electric velomobile this summer. Follow my progress on this blog and let me know your thoughts!
For more information on velomobiles, check out this article on velomobiles, and this article on electric velomobiles.
